Ship Broker

Become: Ship Broker

There are no required qualifications to become a ship broker but individual companies will make their own requirements before offering a place on their in house trainee broker schemes. Some seagoing experience can be a significant advantage.

About: Ship Broker

Shipbroking is a complex profession. A ship broker is a specialist intermediary who negotiates between ship owners and charterers who use ships to transport cargoes around the world. Your job is to ensure the cargo is moved around the world in the most cost effective way possible. This could mean you are juggling hundreds of potential ships and cargoes all over the world at one time.

As a ship broker you would be likely to be working in either New York, London, Tokyo or Singapore as these are the financial hub of the shipping world. The industry works 24/7 and as such the hours as a ship broker can be long and demanding.

Successful careers in ship broking can be extremely rewarding and start with determination and an aptitude to learn. Companies provide guidance and counselling in the early years so you can become an expert in your field. An average day would be an early start in to the office and a late finish possibly having moved millions of pounds worth of cargo around the world.

Clarksons, one of the world leaders, are looking for 'business minded individuals with entrepreneurial skills' and have now opened their Broker Trainee Scheme direct to school and college leavers.